Thanks for the info!

On your refund, these things are generally just handled filing of routine forms. It looks like you are from PA. In your state, the Department of Revenue handles sales tax.

www.revenue.state.pa.us/

You can browse their site or call them to find out the proper procedure. I did find one sort of similar question in their online database:

Q. While I was preparing to file my Sales Tax, I noticed that I overpaid my Sales Tax for the last period. How do I get the overpayment back?

A. You may petition for a refund or claim a credit on future sales tax returns. To petition of a refund, please complete a REV 65 (Petition Form). You may download this by logging onto www.revenue.state.pa.us and clicking on forms and publications. Then scroll to other forms and publications, click on that, and next scroll to the REV 65. Print it out, fill it out, and send it to the provided address. To claim a credit on future tax returns, place the amount of credit on line 8 of the Pa-3. You may take this credit on additional tax returns if the amount of credit is higher than the actual amount owed.

Purchasing tax exempt isn't difficult, just plan on spending a few extra minutes. Typically, you just need to give someone a little extra info or a form.

When you enter the store, your best bet is to speak with a cashier or customer service rep and tell them you are "tax exempt" and ask what you need to do. Sometimes every cashier is set up to handle it, sometimes only one or two in the store know how to ring up the sale. In Texas, we are supposed to use a form we've filled out and signed. Officially, you don't have a "tax exemption number - you don't need to give anyone your ID." Yeah, right! That's what all the paperwork says, but every store I've ever been in the first question is "what's your ID #".

Some stores, like Office Depot (I think) make you get set up with their corporate headquarters in advance, but most handle it on the spot. Walmart wants you to stop by Customer Service and get set up. etc, etc.

I think many of us have been in the following situation: You go to a store, you have the paperwork, you have your ID, you are determined to do it "right". The cashier is very helpful, looks everything up on the computer, and assures you there is no record or your organization, but hey - here's your school - we'll just use that ID. (And by the way, there are about SIX other customers in line behind you!)

Technically, you aren't supposed to use your school ID, you use the PTO's. In reality, you have to pick your battles. I've been known to "go with the flow" a few times.

[ 05-07-2003: Message edited by: JHB ]</p>

Our Pto just recently received word that our tax exemption was approved. Apparently it was approved last year, but we were never notified. I am told now that we can file a petition to receive a reimbursement for sales tax paid over the past year. Has this ever happened to anyone else? Also, I am unfamiliar with how to handle day-to-to purchases with a tax exempt form. Can someone walk me through exactly was is involved, and what my role as treasurer needs to be? Thanks alot!